PRO-7 beefs up drive against loose firearms

CEBU, Philippines — Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 has intensified its campaign against loose firearms as part of their preparations to ensure a peaceful midterm elections next year.

PRO-7 spokesperson Col. Gerard Ace Pelare said that addressing the issue of loose firearms that may pose a threat of violence in the upcoming elections is now a priority.

In fact, PRO-7 has been aggressively campaigning against illegal firearms, targeting not only those who possess illegal firearms but also those involved as direct manufacturers.

“Walay undang pagpanakop sa loose ug illegal firearms not only possessors but we are targeting manufacturers. That is why naay mga nadakop nga tighimo og loose firearms especially now that the election is forthcoming,” said Pelare.

According to the Commission on Elections, the election period will run from January

12, 2025 to June 11, 2025. A gun ban will be in effect throughout the five-month period.

In the recent accomplishment report of PRO-7, it was highlighted that from June

2022 to July 2024, a total of 10,409 operations were conducted leading to the seizure of 11,244 illegal firearms and the  arrest of 1,973 individuals.

Moreover, the “Oplan Katok” of the Philippine National Police, which involves police officers visiting gun owners with expired firearm registration and license to own and possess firearms to encourage them to renew their licenses, resulted in the turnover of 2,689 firearms for temporary safekeeping. There were also 334 explosives and 2,819 rounds of ammunition recovered.

Meanwhile, the recent shooting incidents in Cebu City were traced to alleged drug personalities targeting each other.

“Ang mahitabo man gud ani kung naay madakpan, ang mga suppliers nay

suspetsaan nga naay ning istorya, ning tug-an nga naay nakig coordinate sa police and what they do, they kill these suspected personalities,” Pelare said.

Pelare emphasized that the involvement of the community is crucial in the fight against loose firearms, highlighting that information from local residents is the most “important ingredient” in this effort.

“We always get vital information from our community, and we are very lucky here in Central Visayas. Everything that we have presented, all the accomplishments operational and administrative would have not been achieved without the help of the community in Central Visayas,” Pelare said. –/FPL (FREEMAN)